Aircraft Emergency Escape Slide Container And Method Of Changing An Aircraft Emergency Escape Slide

ABSTRACT

An emergency escape slide container includes a first portion having a first end wall and a first side wall, the first side wall and the first end wall defining a first storage space that is sized and shaped to receive an emergency escape slide. The first side wall also includes a first rolling mechanism. The emergency escape slide container also includes a second portion having a second end wall and a second side wall, the second side wall and the second end wall defining a second storage space sized and shaped to receive the emergency escape slide. The second side wall also includes a second rolling mechanism. The first portion and the second portion cooperate to define a third storage space therebetween, the third storage space being equal to a combination of the first storage space and the second storage space.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/836,127, entitled “Aircraft Emergency Slide Container and Method ofChanging an Aircraft Emergency Escape Slide,” filed Mar. 15, 2013, whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure generally relates to containers for aircraft emergencyequipment and to methods of changing aircraft emergency equipment, andmore specifically to containers for aircraft emergency escape slides andmethods of changing aircraft emergency escape slides.

Related Technology

Modern passenger aircraft require quick egress options in case ofemergency. Because many modern passenger aircraft have entry doors thatare ten feet or more above ground level, passengers need some sort ofdevice to allow them to get to the ground safely. Inflatable emergencyescape slides have been used for this purpose. The emergency escapeslide is usually made from an inflatable flexible material. When notinflated, the emergency escape slide is folded up into a small volumeand stored in or near the egress door. When needed, the emergency escapeslide is filled with a gas so that it inflates to a semi-rigid slidestructure that extends from the egress door to the ground. While thissolution to speedy egress of a passenger aircraft has generally beenvery successful, the emergency escape slides require periodic checking,maintenance, and/or replacement to ensure that the emergency escapeslides will operate correctly in the case of an emergency.

In large passenger aircraft (in particular in wide-body, long rangeaircraft), these emergency escape slides can weigh 100 to 150 lbs (45-68kg) or more. Moreover, these large passenger aircraft can have eight ormore emergency escape slides. In order to change or maintain theseemergency escape slides, maintenance personnel must carry a folded slideinto the aircraft through the egress door. After entering the aircraft,the folded slide must be carried down an aircraft aisle to the correctegress door. Once position by the correct egress door, maintenancepersonnel must remove the old slide and then lift and position the newslide in the correct location. Often during transport of the new slideto the correct egress location, the new egress slide can become hookedor torn on various aircraft parts, which would require a new slide to beobtained. Additionally, due to the weight of the slides, maintenancepersonnel are often injured during the transfer process by bending overto pick up the slide off of the ground.

Additionally transportation and storage of the slides when not installedin an aircraft can be a problem. Typically, the slides are stored in awooden container that is liftable by a forklift. These wooden containersare very heavy and not very durable. Furthermore, lifting the slide outof the wooden container requires maintenance personnel to bend over,which subjects the maintenance personnel to the possibility of back orother injuries. These injuries result in a loss of workdays and a lossof efficiency, which can be a problem for the employer.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one exemplary aspect of the invention, an emergencyescape slide container includes a first portion having a first end walland a first side wall, the first side wall and the first end walldefining a first storage space that is sized and shaped to receive anemergency escape slide. The first storage space includes a firstrestraining mechanism for the emergency escape slide. The first sidewall includes a first rolling mechanism. The emergency escape slidecontainer also includes a second portion having a second end wall and asecond side wall, the second side wall and the second end wall defininga second storage space sized and shaped to receive the emergency escapeslide. The second storage space includes a second restraining mechanismfor the emergency escape slide. The second side wall includes a secondrolling mechanism. The first portion and the second portion cooperate todefine a third storage space therebetween, the third storage space beingequal to a combination of the first storage space and the second storagespace.

In further accordance with any one or more of the foregoing aspects, anemergency escape slide container may include any one or more of thefollowing preferred forms.

In one preferred form, the emergency escape slide container may includean emergency escape slide disposed within the first storage space.

In another preferred form, the first rolling mechanism may include afirst roller and a second roller, the first roller may be an omni-rollerand the second roller may be a cylindrical nylon roller.

In yet another preferred form, an outer surface of the first portion mayinclude a first recessed groove, the first recessed groove being sizedto receive a fork of a forklift.

In yet another preferred form, the emergency escape slide container mayinclude a skid mounted on the first portion, the skid extending outwardaway from an outer surface of the first end wall.

In yet another preferred form, the emergency escape slide container mayinclude a recess on the outer surface of the first end wall, the recessbeing sized and shaped to receive a portion of a skid.

In yet another preferred form, the emergency escape slide container mayinclude a skid that is removably attached to the first portion with aremovable fastener, in some preferred forms the fastener may be a thumbnut.

In yet other preferred forms, the first side wall may include a firstplurality of tongues and a first plurality of grooves and the secondside wall may include a second plurality of tongues and a secondplurality of grooves, the first plurality of tongues being sized andshaped to be received by the second plurality of grooves and the secondplurality of tongues being sized and shaped to be received by the firstplurality of grooves. In other preferred forms, the first plurality oftongues and the second plurality of grooves may be arranged to locatethe first rolling mechanism on an opposite side of the container fromthe second rolling mechanism.

In yet other preferred forms, the first portion may be identical to thesecond portion.

In yet other preferred forms, the container may be made of one ofplastic and metal.

In yet other preferred forms, the first restraining mechanism may be abelt strap.

In yet other preferred forms, the emergency escape slide container mayinclude a first handle on an outer surface of the first side wall.

In yet other preferred forms, the emergency escape slide may include alocking mechanism that releasably secures the first portion to thesecond portion.

In yet other preferred forms, the first storage space may have a lengthof about 43.75 inches (111.12 cm), a width of about 28.75 inches (73.025cm), and a depth of about 11 inches (27.94 cm).

In yet other preferred forms, the emergency escape slide container mayinclude a raised ridge on an outer surface of the first end wall.

In accordance with another exemplary aspect of the invention, a methodof changing an emergency escape slide on an aircraft includes providinga replacement emergency escape slide within a container, the containerhaving a first portion and a second portion removably attached to oneanother, the first portion and the second portion defining a firststorage space and a second storage space, respectively. The firstportion and the second portion are separated so that the replacementemergency escape slide remains attached to the first portion and atleast partially disposed within the first storage space. The firstportion is placed on a surface of an aircraft so that a rollingmechanism is disposed between the first portion and the surface. Thefirst portion is moved on the surface to a predetermined locationproximate an egress door of an aircraft. The first storage space isoriented to be adjacent to an emergency escape slide storage location onthe aircraft. The emergency escape slide is separated from the firstportion, and the emergency escape slide is secured to the emergencyescape slide storage location.

In other preferred forms, the method may include transporting the secondportion to the predetermined location proximate the egress door. Thesecond portion may be oriented so that the second storage space isadjacent the emergency escape slide storage location. An existingemergency escape slide may be released from the emergency escape slidestorage location, and the existing emergency escape slide may be securedto the second portion so that the existing emergency escape slide is atleast partially disposed within the second storage space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aircraft emergency escape slidecontainer;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the aircraft emergency escape slide container ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the aircraft emergency escape slide containerof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the aircraft emergency escape slide containerof FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of an upper portion of the aircraftemergency escape slide container of FIG. 1, the upper portion beingflipped over so that an interior storage space is visible; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the upper portion of the aircraft emergencyescape slide container of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The emergency escape slide containers described herein advantageouslyallow an inflatable emergency escape slide to be stored and transportedin a single container from a storage facility to an emergency escapeslide storage location on aircraft. These emergency escape slidecontainers facilitate movement of the emergency escape slide by forkliftor other transportation device from a storage location in a storagefacility to an aircraft and then to a predetermined location in anaircraft. The emergency escape slide containers are robust and yetlightweight so that they are easily maneuverable within an aircraft byone or two maintenance personnel. Moreover, the emergency escape slidecontainers are sized to accommodate deflated and folded emergency escapeslide in one portion and another deflated and folded emergency escapeslide in another portion so that the container itself can be used toremove an existing emergency escape slide and to install a replacementemergency escape slide on an aircraft. The emergency escape slidecontainers also reduce on-the-job injuries because the emergency escapeslide does not need to be removed from the container before transportingthe emergency escape slide within an aircraft.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-6, one embodiment of an emergency escape slidestorage container 10 is illustrated. The emergency escape slide storagecontainer 10 includes a first or upper portion 12 and a second or lowerportion 14 removably attached to one another. Generally speaking, thefirst portion 12 and the second portion 14 combine to store a deflatedemergency escape slide therebetween. The first portion 12 and the secondportion 14 protect the emergency escape slide during storage andtransportation. Moreover, the first portion 12 and the second portion 14may be separated from one another so that the emergency escape slideremains attached to one of the first portion 12 and the second portion14. The portion of the container to which the emergency escape slideremains attached is light enough and maneuverable enough to betransported down and aisle of the passenger aircraft by one or twomaintenance personnel. In some embodiments, the first portion 12 and thesecond portion 14 may be identical to one another. In other embodiments,the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 may have slightdifferences as long as the first portion 12 and the second portion 14are removably attachable to one another and that either the firstportion 12 or the second portion 14 may be transported down an aisle ofan aircraft with an emergency escape slide.

The first portion 12 may include a first end wall 16 and a firstsidewall 18. Similarly, the second portion 14 may include a second endwall 116 and a second sidewall 118. The first end wall 16 and the firstsidewall 18 define a first storage space 20 (FIG. 6). Similarly, thesecond end wall 116 and the second sidewall 118 form a second storagespace 120 (FIG. 3). The first portion 12 and the second portion 14together form a third storage space 320 that is equal to a combinationof the first storage space 20 and the second storage space 120. Thefirst storage space 20 is sized and shaped to receive the emergencyescape slide 200. Similarly, the second storage space 120 is sized andshaped to receive the emergency escape slide 200. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the first sidewall 18 may include a pluralityof sidewall portions 18 a, 18 b 18 c, 18 d that form a rectangularshape. In other embodiments, the sidewall 18 may include more or fewersidewall portions that the fine other shapes such as circles, ovals,squares, polygons, or any other regular or irregular shapes, as long asthe storage space defined by such shapes is capable of receiving anemergency escape slide.

A first restraining mechanism 22, such as belt, may be disposed withinthe first storage space 20. In some embodiments a second restrainingmechanism 23 may also be disposed in the first storage space 20. Inother embodiments, the first restraining mechanism 22 and/or the secondrestraining mechanism 23 may include other types of restraining devices,such as, strings, ropes, hook and loop fasteners, doors, clasps, clamps,or any other device that may be used to removably secure an emergencyescape slide within the first storage space 20. The first restrainingmechanism 22 may also include a plurality of restraining devices, suchas a plurality of belts or a plurality of strings or ropes. Whendisposed in the first storage space 20, the emergency escape slide isreleasably secured to the first portion 12 with at least the firstrestraining mechanism 22 and/or with the second restraining mechanism23, so that the first portion 12 may be rotated lifted or otherwiseoriented in any position and the emergency escape slide will not fallout of the first storage space 20.

An outer surface of the first sidewall 18 may include a first rollingmechanism 24 (FIG. 1). The first rolling mechanism 24 may include one ormore ball rollers 26, such as omni rollers, that allow the first portion12 to roll in any direction on a surface, such as an aircraft floor. Thefirst rolling mechanism 24 may also include a unidirectional roller,such as a cylindrical nylon roller 28. By orienting the first portion 12so that the first rolling mechanism 24 contacts the surface, the firstportion 12 may be easily rolled along the surface by one or moremaintenance personnel without having to lift the first portion 12 off ofthe surface.

The first portion 12 may also include one or more handles 30 to enhancethe maneuverability of the first portion 12. The first portion 12 mayfurther include one or more locking mechanisms 32, such as lockingclasps or latches, that are capable of releasably securing the firstportion 12 to the second portion 14. Similarly, the second portion 14may include one or more handles 130 and/or one or more lockingmechanisms 132.

A skid 34 may be removably attached to an outer surface of the first endwall 16 or to an outer surface of the second end wall 116. The skid 34may extend outwards away from the outer surface of the first end wall 16or the second end wall 116 so that the first portion 12 or the secondportion 14 is elevated above a surface, such as an aircraft floor, whenthe skid 34 is resting on the surface.

The outer surface of the first end wall 16 or the outer surface of thesecond end wall 116 may also include a first recessed groove 36, 136,and a second recessed groove 38, 138, that are separated by a raisedridge 40, 140. The first recessed groove 36, 136 and the second recessedgroove 38, 138 may be sized and shaped to receive a first fork of aforklift and a second fork of a forklift, respectively. The skid 34 andthe recessed grooves 36, 136, 38, 138 combine to allow a forklift tolift the container 10 off of the surface when the container 10 isresting on the surface, such as when the container 10 is resting on theground in a storage facility or on top of another container. As aresult, the container 10 may be easily transported from the storagefacility to a passenger aircraft by transportation device such as aforklift. The recessed grooves 36, 136, 38, 138 may be orientedgenerally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A and generally parallelto a lateral axis B so that the recessed grooves 36, 136, 38, 138traverse the container 10 in a generally widthwise manner. In otherembodiments, the recessed grooves 36, 136, 38, 138 may traverse thecontainer in a generally lengthwise manner.

The outer surface of the end wall 16, 116 may also include one or morerecessed landings 42 that are sized and shaped to receive a portion ofthe skid 34. The recessed landings 42 locate and stabilize the skid 34on the end wall 16, 116. The skid 34 may be removably attached to theend wall 16, 116 with a plurality of removable fasteners 44, such asthumbscrews, wing nuts, screws, clasps, latches, or any other removablefastener. The removable fasteners 44 may be secured to the skid 34 witha lanyard 45, or other securing device, so that the fasteners 44 do notbecome lost.

A distal portion 46 of the sidewall 18, 118 (i.e., distal to the endwall 16, 116) may include a plurality of tongues 48 and a plurality ofgrooves 50 (FIG. 5). The plurality of tongues 48 and the plurality ofgrooves 50 interact with corresponding tongues and grooves on the secondportion 14 two locate and stabilize the first portion 12 on the secondportion 14, or vice versa. Furthermore, the plurality of tongues andgrooves on the first portion interact with the plurality of tongues andgrooves on the second portion to locate the first rolling mechanism 24on an opposite side of the container 10 from the second rollingmechanism 124.

Hereinafter, a method of replacing an emergency escape slide on aircraftwill be described. Initially, an emergency escape slide may be stored inone of the containers 10 described above. The container 10 may be housedin a storage facility. The container 10 may be transported from thestorage facility to the passenger aircraft with a forklift or othertransportation device. In particular, the forklift may approach thecontainer 10, and orient forks generally parallel to the recessedgrooves 36, 136, 38, 138. Because the container 10 is elevated off ofthe ground or off of a lower container 10 the forks of the forklifteasily slide into the recessed grooves 36, 38. The forklift may thenlift the container 10 off of the ground or off of another container 10.The forklift may then carry the container 10 to the passenger aircraft.Once the forklift is arrived at the passenger aircraft, the container 10may be lowered to the ground and the forks of the forklift may beremoved from the recessed grooves 36, 136, 38, 138. Once located on theground, maintenance personnel may remove the first portion 12 from thesecond portion 14, the emergency escape slide remaining attached thesecond portion 14.

The first portion 12 may be rotated so that the first rolling mechanism24 is oriented downwardly, towards a floor of the aircraft cabin. Onceresting on the first rolling mechanism 24, maintenance personnel mayroll the first portion on the floor of the aircraft cabin, and down anaisle of the aircraft if needed, until the first portion 12 arrives in apredetermined location proximate an emergency escape slide storagelocation. In some aircraft, the emergency escape slide storage locationis attached to (or otherwise proximate or adjacent to) an egress door.The first portion 12 may be oriented so that the first storage space 20faces the emergency escape slide storage location. An existing emergencyescape slide may then be released from the emergency escape slidestorage location and moved into the first storage space 20 of the firstportion 12. Once located in the first storage space 20 the emergencyescape slide may be secured to within the first storage space 20 by thefirst securing mechanism 22 and/or by the second securing mechanism 23.After the existing emergency escape slide is secured within the firststorage space 20, the first portion 12 may be reoriented so that thefirst rolling mechanism 24 is again resting on the floor of the aircraftcabin, and maintenance personnel may then roll the first portion 12 withthe existing emergency escape slide to a door of the aircraft were thefirst portion 12 and the existing emergency escape slide may be thenremoved from the aircraft.

Once the existing emergency escape slide is removed from the aircraft,the second portion 14 with a replacement emergency escape slide securedin a second storage space 120 may be moved through the aircraft door andthe aircraft cabin. Once located in the aircraft cabin, the secondportion 14 may be oriented so that the second rolling mechanism 124 islocated on the floor of the aircraft cabin. The second portion 14 maythen easily be rolled along the floor of the aircraft cabin, and down anaisle of the aircraft if needed, until the second portion 14 arrives ina predetermined location proximate the emergency escape slide storagelocation.

Once arriving at the predetermined location proximate the emergencyescape slide storage location, the second portion 14 may be oriented sothat the second storage space 120 faces the emergency escape slidestorage location. Thereafter, the replacement emergency escape slide maybe released from the second portion 14 and moved into the emergencyescape slide storage location. Once replacement emergency escape slideis secured in the emergency escape slide storage location, secondportion 14 may be oriented so that the second rolling mechanism 124 islocated proximate the floor the cabin. The second portion 14 may then berolled along the cabin floor to an exit of the aircraft. After removingthe second portion 14 from the aircraft, the second portion 14 may bejoined to the first portion 12 and releasably secured to the firstportion 12 with the locking mechanisms 32, 132 so that the existingemergency escape slide is disposed between the first portion 12 and thesecond portion 14. Thereafter, the container 10 may be transported to astorage location with a forklift or other transportation device.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

1. An emergency escape slide container comprising: a first portionincluding a first end wall and a first side wall, the first side walland the first end wall defining a first storage space sized and shapedto receive an emergency escape slide, the storage space including afirst restraining mechanism for the emergency escape slide, and thefirst side wall including a first rolling mechanism; a second portionincluding a second end wall and a second side wall, the second side walland the second end wall defining a second storage space sized and shapedto receive the emergency escape slide, the storage space including asecond restraining mechanism for the emergency escape slide, and thesecond wall including a second rolling mechanism; wherein the firstportion and the second portion cooperate to define a third storage spacetherebetween, the third storage space being equal to a combination ofthe first storage space and the second storage space.
 2. The containerof claim 1, further comprising an emergency escape slide disposed withinthe first storage space.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the firstrolling mechanism includes a first roller and a second roller.
 4. Thecontainer of claim 3, wherein the first roller is an omni-roller.
 5. Thecontainer of claim 3, wherein the second roller is a nylon roller. 6.The container of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the first portionincludes a first recessed groove, the first recessed groove being sizedto receive a fork of a forklift.
 7. The container of claim 1, furthercomprising a skid mounted on the first portion, the skid extendingoutward away from an outer surface of the first end wall.
 8. Thecontainer of claim 7, further comprising a recess on the outer surfaceof the first end wall, the recess being sized and shaped to receive aportion of the skid.
 9. The container of claim 7, wherein the skid isremovably attached to the first portion with a removable fastener. 10.The container of claim 1, wherein the removable fastener is a thumb nut.11. The container of claim 10, wherein the first side wall includes afirst plurality of tongues and a first plurality of grooves and thesecond side wall includes a second plurality of tongues and a secondplurality of grooves, the first plurality of tongues being sized andshaped to be received by the second plurality of grooves and the secondplurality of tongues being sized and shaped to be received by the firstplurality of grooves.
 12. The container of claim 11, wherein the firstplurality of tongues and the second plurality of grooves are arranged tolocate the first rolling mechanism on an opposite side of the containerfrom the second rolling mechanism.
 13. The container of claim 1, whereinthe first portion is identical to the second portion.
 14. The containerof claim 1, wherein the container is made of one of plastic and metal.15. The container of claim 1, wherein the first restraining mechanism isa belt strap.
 16. The container of claim 1, further including a firsthandle on an outer surface of the first side wall.
 17. The container ofclaim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism that releasably securesthe first portion to the second portion.
 18. The container of claim 1,wherein the first storage space has a length of about 43.75 inches(111.12 cm), a width of about 28.75 inches (73.025 cm), and a depth ofabout 11 inches (27.94 cm).
 19. The container of claim 1, furthercomprising a raised ridge on an outer surface of the first end wall. 20.A method of changing an emergency escape slide on an aircraft, themethod comprising: providing a replacement emergency escape slide withina container, the container having a first portion and a second portionremovably attached to one another, the first portion and the secondportion defining the a first storage space and a second storage space,respectively, separating the first portion from the second portion sothat the replacement emergency escape slide remains attached to thefirst portion and at least partially disposed within the first storagespace, placing the first portion on a surface of an aircraft so that arolling mechanism is disposed between the first portion and the surface,moving the first portion on the surface to a predetermined locationproximate an egress door of an aircraft, orienting the first storagespace to be adjacent to an emergency escape slide storage location onthe aircraft, separating the emergency escape slide from the firstportion, and securing the emergency escape slide to the emergency escapeslide storage location.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:transporting the second portion to the predetermined location proximatethe egress door, orienting the second portion so that the second storagespace is adjacent the emergency escape slide storage location, releasingan existing emergency escape slide from the emergency escape slidestorage location, and securing the existing emergency escape slide tothe second portion so that the existing emergency escape slide is atleast partially disposed within the second storage space.